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Steering column length?

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Old Aug 15, 2023 | 12:46 PM
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Default Steering column length?

If I was to purchase an aftermarket steering column such as Ididit or Flaming river or similar, what length would I want to match stock? Where is the measurement taken from?
Also, I would not mind having the wheel a little farther away from me, just an inch or two.

Edit: this would be for a ‘71 coupe.
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Old Aug 15, 2023 | 02:11 PM
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You don't need to know the length to buy a C3 column.
https://www.flamingriver.com/tilt-st...sid=y6d7eSMznt
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Old Aug 15, 2023 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
You don't need to know the length to buy a C3 column.
https://www.flamingriver.com/tilt-st...sid=y6d7eSMznt
Well, if I wanted to spend that kind of dough, I would just get a professionally rebuilt OEM tilt/tele. But I really only have time for one job…
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Old Aug 15, 2023 | 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by wwiiavfan
Well, if I wanted to spend that kind of dough, I would just get a professionally rebuilt OEM tilt/tele. But I really only have time for one job…
You suggested Flaming River.
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Old Aug 15, 2023 | 02:39 PM
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Here's Ididit
https://www.ididit.com/c-1310143-ret...oor-shift.html
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Old Aug 15, 2023 | 05:45 PM
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I adapted a later T&T column into my 71.
2.2 inches shorter and the T&T helps out...
Attached is a Jim Shea paper on that

Cheers,
Richard
Attached Images
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Old Aug 15, 2023 | 09:00 PM
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I was trying to find out the stock length so I can shop aftermarket columns that don’t require a 2nd mortgage…
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 09:59 AM
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Default Length standard & Tilt column

I get a reading of 40 inches for both the standard & the tilt
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 01:07 PM
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Thank you. Is there an “industry standard” way of measuring?
For example, “universal” aftermarket columns are referred to in lengths like 28” or 30”. Is that from the very end of the shaft at the box, to some location at the wheel end, like the wheel mounting surface, or something like that?
Trying to understand how the length is measured.
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by wwiiavfan
Thank you. Is there an “industry standard” way of measuring?
For example, “universal” aftermarket columns are referred to in lengths like 28” or 30”. Is that from the very end of the shaft at the box, to some location at the wheel end, like the wheel mounting surface, or something like that?
Trying to understand how the length is measured.
My measurement was from the end of shaft (rag joint end) to where the steering wheel bolts on, just eye balling it.
1971 convertible is what I'm dealing with

Have no clue how the professionals measure them
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 04:56 PM
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The information you're looking for is available on the Flaming River website. According to Flaming River, they measure columns from the top edge of the column collar to the lower end of the shaft.

https://www.flamingriver.com/steering-column-faqs

A quick look a their 69-82 Corvette column shows they list the Corvette column as 33".

https://www.flamingriver.com/tilt-st...le-mill-finish

The cheapest tilt 33" universal column I see on their website is a paintable column without a column key switch for about $550. It's a little less then half the price of their base paintable Corvette column ($546 vs $1024). This is a sizable savings, but what are you going to do for an ignition switch with this column?

https://www.flamingriver.com/tilt-st...le-mill-finish

The cheapest 33" universal key column is $850. So this column's $125 less then the base Corvette one, but how much are you saving buying this column that you'll have to adapt to your Corvette, verse buying the one that's designed to bolt right in?

https://www.flamingriver.com/tilt-st...le-mill-finish

I didn't bother looking up the shaft size or spline count of either of the universal columns I linked above. If they don't have a universal column compatible with the Corvette steering box, you'll likely have to use a universal joint to adapt it to your steering box, and will have wiped out everything you saved by buying a universal column?

I have some used columns at the shop. If I remember in the morning, I'll put a tape on one from the collar to the end of the shaft, and see what I come up with.
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 07:27 PM
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I looked for column length and couldn't find the overall length but here is the bearing to end length.


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